Living in an urban area designed for pedestrians would be better for your health and would promote a lighter weight and a thinner waist.
The researchers looked at measurements from WalkScore, a site that assesses “neighborhood walkability” and crossed their results with those from Statistics Canada’s National Health Survey for Ontario. They were looking to establish the weight and health benefits of walking.
The conclusions are final and the figures impressive. People who live in isolated neighborhoods with very high car dependency weigh on average 3.2 kg more than those who live in neighborhoods that promote walking.
The impact of walking is felt in neighborhoods “somewhat conducive to walking”. Their residents are on average 2.2 kg bigger than the others.
“Residents of neighborhoods with high car addiction were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than those in” walker’s paradise “neighborhoods,” the study authors explain. In the first sectors, 52% of people are overweight or obese. In comparison, the rate is 42% in places described as “walker’s paradise”.
Sedentary lifestyle is harmful to health
To keep fit and maintain health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking 10,000 steps per day. Regular sports practice can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 39%, the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 26%, the risk of having a stroke by 25% and the risk of diabetes is 34%. Sedentary lifestyle is today the 4th risk factor for mortality in the world after high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.
Read also:
Infographic: 6 good reasons to start walking
Walking reduces the risk of breast cancer
